Valve-operating mechanism



Nov. 2, 192s. Y 1,605,028 W. F. HlN KLE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July :5, 1922 Patented Nov. 2, 1926n WALTER F. IIINKLE, Oll CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENEKE MANUFACTURIDIG 1,605,028 rarer vtrici-1.v

COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

VALVE-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Application led July 3, 1922. Serial No. 572,468.

My invention relates to valve operating mechanism for flush tanks and the like in which a small hand operated mechanism is turned for operating a lever mechanism that is connected to the lushl valve.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple self-seating operating mechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide coacting parts having cam surfaces producing a quick operation of the Hush valve.

It is also an object of this invention to provide guiding means for the lever mechanism that prevents lateral movement thereof.

`With these and other objects in view which will become more apparent in the following description and disclosures in the drawings, my invention comprises the novel features of construction, and combination hereinafter described and more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention and in which similar reference characters refer to similar features in the different views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a watertight casing containing the flush valve operating mechanism with the operating handle in suspended position outside of the casing.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section therethrough.

Figure 3 is a section through the casing of a flush tank with the operating mechanism in elevation therefor.

Figure 4: is a section on the line le-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional detail with parts in elevation illustrating a. modification.

As shown on the drawings: In theV different gures of the drawings, I have ilr lustrated my invention as applied to the valve mechanism of a flush tank 1 having a water inlet pipe 2 controlled by the usual valve mechanism which in turn 1s controlled by a iloat 3. The water for flushing purposes passes throughlan outlet pipe 4 having the usual valve 5 connected. to an adjustable lever 6 pivoted upon a pivot 7 My invention concerns itself more directly with the construction of the lever 6, lts support, and the hand-operated cam mechanism that cooperates with said lever, and

as shown the power arm 6Pof said lever is provided with a pointed projection or cuspis 7a from which `extend the downwardly shaft 13 secured in the cam 11 extends through the tank wall 14a in which it is rotatably mounted by means of a hollow bearing bushingli externally screw threaded. TheV pivot 7 which supports the lever is supported upon a bracket 15A having a square nut or internally threaded head 16 fitting in an aperture in said tank wall and receiving the externally screw threaded bushing let. rIhus by properly turning the bushing 14C, the nut 16 is tightly drawn into the tank wall, producing a rigidly supported bracket which cannot turn in the wall on account of its polygonal shape. The shaft 13 extends bey-ond the outer end of the bushing to receive the operating handle 17 which is secured thereon in any approved manner. Washers may be used if desirable to properly adjust and back up the parts.

It is evident that by turning the handle 17 the cam will be rotated to depress the power arm 6EL of said lever; the lobes 10 of the cam rolling on the cam surfaces of the power arm will quickly depress the same; only a short swing of the handle being necessary. As soon as the handle 17 is released, the weight of the lever 6 and the handle 17 will tend to pull the power arm upwardly, and on account of the coacting curved surfaces of the lever and cam, the lever will immediately be shifted to its seated position with its cuspis entering the node of the cam. This selfseating action of the lever will occur no matter how far the handle may be swung. If it is swung in an arc of 1800 to upper dead center, the cuspis 19 of said cam will engage the cupis 7"L of the leveras shown in dotted lines in Figure Il, and if the handle is then released, the cam will immediately rotate off the cuspis 7a, and the weight of the handle and the weight acting on the lever will bring the parts to the full line position shown in Figure 4L on account .of the assistance arising from the cam action of the cam and lever. With this construction, the valve operating mechanism cannot readily be operated to any position in which the flush valve Will be left open. y Y Y' ln Figure 5 l: have illustrated a modilication wherein the cam portion 62 is contacted by an oiiset portion 18 of a crank 19, integral with the shaft 13, said portion engaging the cam surfaces 8 and 9 to cause an actuation ot the lever 6 and the. valve 5 in much the same manner as this same result is eii'ected by the heart-shaped cam 11.

lt Will accordingly be apparent that I have provided a handle operated mechanism for a flush valve that produces a large throw of the valve lever for a short swing of the handle operating mechanism, and in Which the handle operating mechanism will always be substantially rotated into normal or starting position with the flush valve closed, and in which the lever is guided and Substantially seated and retained by coacting parts of the cam.

l am aivare that numerous details of construction may be varied through a Wide range Without departing from the principlesr or' this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherivise than necessitated by the prior art.

l claim as my invention:

1. A flush valve operating mechanism comprising a heart-shaped cam, and a valve lever having cam surfaces corresponding to the lobes of said cam and a cuspis entering the node of said cam.

2. In a device of the class described, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends, said lever having curved surfaces separated by a cuspis, means for operating said lever comprising a rota-table member having a node ior receiving said cuspis and curved surlia es cooperating with the curved surfaces or said lever.

3. ln a device of the 'class described a symmetrical heartshaped cam having a node, guiding flanges on said cam, and a lever having cam surfaces conforming in contour to the lobes of said cam and a cuspis entering the node of said cam.

In testimony ivhereo I have hereunto subscribed my name. Y

VALTER F. HINKLE. 

